James Tyler Variax video review demo Guitarist Magazine
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- A video demo of the revolutionary James Tyler Variax . Taken from Guitarist magazine issue 333. For more guitar news, advice and interviews, and to find out more about the magazine, visit www.guitarist.c...
Hey guys. I got an old model Variax. If you think a model doesn't sound right, you can always tweak it in workbench.
Example: I didn't think the telecasters were twangy enough, so I simply moved the pickups closer to the bridge and it sounds a lot better now.
Close enough for my ears... especially given that most crowds are completely tone deaf, this would be a great gigging guitar for anyone that requires versatility. If you are a purist that wants one or two KILLER sounds, then this is not really for you, probably. If you want a million possibilities and are willing to accept the compromise in sound (minimal in my view) then this is perfect. I want one...
I wonder if any of the critics of this guitar have even played it. Sure in this demo some of the models don't sound completely authentic but in a room through a good amp you wouldn't be able to tell the difference, especially compared to guitars of the same price.
In fact, comparing the Strat model with the guitar's own pickups reveal that the variax model is miles better.
people always afraid of change... I say this is cool
Hey anyone stumbling across this, I've been playing Variax live since 2004 and believe me, it's more than good enough to cut any gig. Sure, I wish the Strat was a little more lively (especially on the squawky 4th position)... However the ability to instantly switch from an acoustic with just a touch of reverb on it (one that doesn't feedback by the way) to a full on Les Paul crunching hard through a Marshall is something that truly changes the way you're going to approach gigging (with an X3L).
how are you?
Are you still gigging with a Variax?
@@youtubewatcher3467 Sure am. But gigging during Covid has been spotty.
I’ve got to say, if the original Variax models that came out in the mid 2000s had this quality and all the features, I would have long since purchased one of them. At the time, the 12 string emulation and the selection of tunings left a lot to be desired. Now, you can actually choose what kind of guitar body you want to emulate, the pickup configuration and customized tunings.
I haven’t got one yet, but it would be great having access to the sounds of instruments I haven’t owned up to now, such as a 12 string electric, a resonator, a sitar or coming up with your own customized sounds.
man, great to have acoustic guitar sounds but elec playability.
This is a is phenomenal. I tried a variax a few years ago and was less than impressed. This blows my socks off. There's no doubt that over 99% of us couldn't tell the difference if we didn't know it was the variax. Amazing.
This is brilliant device !
Great demo...best demo of the JT Variax I have seen in terms of variety and quality this is why Guitarist is the best guitar mag in the planet
The distortion comes from an amp, not the variax, right ?
i own the gold top p90 version and gig it every week and it sounds awesome
You should be getting paid by every demo you do from the manufacture. This is by far the best Line 6 product video on UA-cam!!! Line 6 take some notes from this guy.
@JonathanAmaralMusic Well, I'm used to this type of thinking as are many other lefties who play naturally. I am gigging with my lefty Variax 500, a factory lefty, and when told by Rich Renken there will be a lefty JTV model, you kinda think it's in the works. What's it to you anyway?
Excellent review, and good to see Simon Bradley still working for Guitarist after all these years. The guy's a legend!
I have the JTV69S, I can take that to a gig and have all the bases covered.
This looks WAY better than the other Variax guitars. It's actually a well-crafted guitar with real pickups, and the digital output seems to track really well with the alternate tunings. Awesome!
Nice demo!
lovin the 12 string at 11mins:)
+tony martin brilliant
What does it sound like through a line6 helix effects board using the accessory cable? There you can tweek in and out every thing possible a signal chain can have. IR speakers, cabinets, etc...
The best demonstration
I've had the Variax JT les Paul version a couple of years. It's useful for my covers band where I can flick between different guitars and turnings easily. I particularly like being able to do a 12 string and switch to acoustic easily. But I still prefer playing my US strat.
You guys show the sitar but not the banjo??? Priorities!
Life happened, most of my equipment went away, I have some "real" guitars left.. and just ordered a model 59 to take place of the other 4-5 guitars I can not afford. A little 15 watt marshall amp and the computer to combine sounds on are more than I will probably ever need. Even if no one ever hears it.. I have got to play. Honestly the Guild 12 string simulation was impressive!. I guess Highnote606 can consider me a fool. While I can consider them a troll.
the transpose function is awesome. great for lazy session guitarists
I couldn't agree more with gggkinc, the only con was the Telecaster model yet someone pointed out that the Line 6 Variax Workbench could help out with tweaking a tone up to our preference. The further examples as Rickenbacker, resonator in Open D tuning, or flat out non-existent things as having a Martin D-28 in baritone version is incredible. I hope I'll soon earn enough money to use my first salary to buy one. Also kudos to Guitarist for doing an A/B between the models and the real thing..
its not just the point to have the sound of all these different guitars, its to also have the fluid change from a spank model to a banjo to a jazzbox without lugging 3 guitars. if you've ever played with more then one band and theyve all played at the same gig you'd know the hatred of using one guitar for ska music then another for metal.
This is THE BEST REVIEW of the JTV-69 in UA-cam! I think you should actually work FOR Line 6... their demos are crap xD
@40DollarFine Lefty here too. Line 6 would be smart to do a lefty version, EVERY lefty would have to have one because we have such a small selection to pick from, if we could get a left handed variax we would be set. A guitar like this would seriously single handedly be the cure for our crippled market. I would buy 5 just in case they discontinued them. Actually... make that ten. Line 6, you can afford to do it. Just do it. If Schecter can make almost EVERY model left handed, you certainly can.
I literally learned some of the riffs from this review, I've seen it so many times.
WTF! The variax actually sounds better than it's Real counter parts.. This is so awesome!
excuse me...can you say me the model (is U.S.A. CUSTOM version??? ) the price more or less.... ???
What amp and settings are you using? Perfect crunch tone. I must have it:)
@fallingmanjutsu yea but you would need like 10 guitars and a big wallet just to get all those different sounds. I like the tonal variety.
hey,
can u tell me the name of the song you are playing around 11:01 ?
or its just an improvisation?
thanks!
This is cool, but some of the models aren't close enough, especially the tele bridge pickup. The Lester model was more scooped and darker sounding than the Les Paul, the Paul sounded much more midranging and punchy. The tuning thing is great though, but I'd prefer some kind of tech that allows me to use my own pickups with the ability to change different kind of tunings with the added acoustic/dobro/12 sting altertations.
Not my favourite guitar but it’s sure my favourite gigging guitar, the only thing it doesn’t have is the kitchen sink 😋 Recommend for versatility 🎸
I know without all this amp/guitar modeling stuff, I could never afford to get decent guitar tones. What's great is that it's new, but it's inexpensive as well, while providing you a lot more at the same time.
Where the sample model guitars compared with same year and style?
How well does that guitar stay in tune when pulling the tremelo bar? Anyone know?
It would have been a better review if the demo of the various models were played without the overdrive/clipping or have had two samples in clean and overdrive mode. In theory, it is a great ideal to have a guitar modeler, but a true leap forward would be to concentrate on creating original guitar models.
Excellent job. Thank you!
what you're describe would require synthesis. such as a midi guitar controller and sample playback synth. the variax IS your guitar sound, the real sound from real piezo pickups like most acoustic guitars have these days for live use, but that sounds is put through eq, dynamic and so forth modelling that was created by taking samples of the real guitars and digitally removing the difference of the sound of the variax piezo pickup eq/dynamic response. It works far better than any synth does...
@jerseystringer
I must agree with you. I would not go in the studio with this (well, maybe). But take this as a live working tool. Changing guitar sound and tuning in mid song instantly is more than just usefull. How about from a 6 to a 12 in less than a second? Welcome to 2011 buddy.
What a jolly good chap this man is.
@fallingmanjutsu I forgot to mention that I had the variax 700 in gold flake for 4 years and played it live with my band. I ended up getting rid of it because our band kept getting more popular and booked at bigger venues requiring louder stage sound.
I noticed at super high volumes the old variax sounded way too digital. something about the amplification or something.
😲👁cant believe what I'm 👂ing👍🏼🎸ABSOLUTELY ❤it
I am wondering if you have to have a Line Amp to play this guitar threw hate to buy one an find out I need to purchase the amp also if anyone can help me out on this please do so
plays though any amp like a regular electric.....no need for any extra line 6 gear.
@bennyvx08
I've had many korean made guitars in my time and haven't had a problem with any of them.
Love this guitar
The necks are swappable with other after market ones sop no prob with the headstock if you hate it. The rumour is that many of thgem have problems with cracking at the neck/body joint. Anyone have any first hand info on that?
had mine over two years and no issues...the neck is pretty crappy so I'm probably gonna have my guitar tech build me something I like . It's a great utility guitar for live stuff but I don't use it for recording.
Sounds great!
loving the fast show reference
yes, specially so in the very high frequencies and the attack. but very often you can't tell the difference in jingles, mixed songs, or live use, which is where the variax is an absolute godsend for a session player or busy gigging player. And there are certainly examples of a variax, even an old cheap model variax, sounding incredible. Check on youtube for examples like anything from user glee9... check youtube video id dJzkACsHBCw for example...
I'd love them to model a nylon strung acoustic and a mandolin
they did
Great Demo, thankie
exactly. .thats what they have to work on.. also, there is more bass (its a bit dull but not warm), and note separation is also something they should work on.. Its good, but not great.
the headstock looks like one of the cheap blank necks I can get from my supplier. (you know, pre processing)
Not got one yet, but I’m leaning towards the ‘59 Above the ‘69 for its straightaway stringing.
@40DollarFine, ever heard of flipping the guitar? like: Hendrix? Cobain? etc..
how fast is the switching between models?
it's quick enough...and you can save presets to pickup selector positions..so I have 5 acoustic sounds I use most set up on one model channel and 5 most used electric sounds set up on another...so you use the pickup selector to change sounds mostly.
i know that song at the beggining what is it anybody know
id like to learn it on my guitar
charles schoebinger u said u know but ur still asking for what u know?
9:20 name of the song?
I'm getting this guitar now! Haha
@fallingmanjutsu I think the real guitars will (almost) always win. I think that is the point. But..... if you do not posses the ability to have many of the real guitars then this is the next best thing. I think that is the market they are going after.
The reason why I mentioned that real guitars will "almost" always win is that you can do some things with this guitar that the real guitar cannot do such as on the fly tune changes. But, that is about it.
great (i mean, really, great) demo!
sounds like the Tele has a bit more bite from having a maple fretboard
will be interesting see how much further line6 takes this guitar idea as the technology gets smaller,more powerful processors.and what they learn from each new model. in 20 years who knows how powerful of a tool this will be. by then all the old timers who grew up with tubes, will be gone.most will be use to the tube/amp simulation thing.so there ears will even be more excepting of the concept.just guessing,no i do not work for line6 this man should. he did a good job.best iv seen on this guitar
i like the variax as a home guitar, or for recording as it sounds nice enough. But its modeling loses authenticity with the treble frequencies distorted sounds of the real guitars. This is REALLY noticeable with the telecaster on both pick ups. This could be a tone knob problem.
sounds kinda interesting, the acoustic models sound AMAZING like an actual acoustic
@40DollarFine I'm replying to a public comment that just about anyone can, so if I wanna voice my opinion "what's it to you anyway" ;)
And I'm just saying, if I was a left and I knew there were a very limited amount of guitars based on lefties, I would certainly try righty first for obvious reasons. If you're fine with your lefty guitars then don't blame Line 6 especially since from what you're saying they're catered to the lefty audience.
Happy Holidays bud, don't be too much of a grouch
It all sounds the same. That\s amazing
the tuning knob looks like a hat!! :D
I think this is a pretty good idea, not a big fan of "modeling" my self even though I do own a POD XT Pro which is pretty good for recording or doubling up guitars. Anywho, I think part of the whole guitar thing is how it looks and how it makes you feel when u have the guitar strapped on but if ur stuck with one guitar then that's a bit shit, especially if it looks a bit toy-ish.
It would be nice if this demo started of with clean tones. Harsh distorted tones are not everyone's primary interest. Nevertheless, the guitar is interesting, and later on he does demo some acoustic clean tones. The 12 string simulations are cool. But I still am left not knowing what this guitar sounds like when emulating a LP or a Tele really clean.
There are other demonstrators who’ve tackled that query. Its clean tone is highly believable, as with the ‘59.
Guitar is rated by its clean sound
i was like wow....WOW......WOOOOOW!!! and then for 2 minuts wtf?(sitar in baritone sounded crap), anyways, FINALLY a variax with REAL potential and good possibilites(love the separated modeller/tunings controls). Nice Job! Will definately go try one of these when they reach the shores of Norway=)
If you want to compare, you need to keep the sound clean. I was hearing mostly the amp, and very little guitar.
When you did the ' variax " preset versus the " real guitar" the variax model was darker in tone.
Guitars vary in sound even within the same model, depending the year and version, but the important thing is that they share certain tonal characteristics. The jtv gets that, besides in the mix you will loose a lot of detail, plus there is EQ and you can edit the models with workbench if you estimate it necessary
This. Too many people are purist technophobes. If it can make great tones, then I don't see the problem. There may be guitars out there with more edge, but I can bet you can dial in amazing tones with this guitar with a good amp and all.
It's stuff like the Variax and the digital modeling scene that are pushing abilities of the guitar farther than we dreamed.
Anybody know what amps/effects were used here?
The Tele killed the Variax. The Les Paul killed the Variax. The Rickenbacker 12 killed the Variax. I agree, jazz box sounded passable. Why would you use a trem bar when playing slide? The Martin D28 killed the Variax but would have sounded okay without the comparison. The Guild 212 sounds like it's in the next room. The strings sound very dull on the sitar at the end. Great demo though. Variax still isn't ready for prime time.
@bennyvx08 OK i guess that you have never tried one of those, so you can't say nothing about. I have an Ibanez RG 3570Z and a Jackson SL-1 and i CAN say that for 550€ the G290 it's really AMAZING. If you dont know how to identify a good quality Korean made guitar that's your problem! Cheers!
Great thanks for the reality of sound. Excellent review. However, I am glad I did not waste money on buying the Variax. This is no reflection on the product, as I still believe it to be a useful tool. But in direct comparison with the instruments that it emulates it does not stand up in tone or depth.
also makes the coffee?
variax are more compressed, while originals are open.
Steve Howe uses one so it must be decent
Which to a large extent is what has brought me here now.
On stage, with a band at max volume? All the "nuance" goes out the window. These things are killer.
I saw leo macchiaioli and rabea massaad play Variaxes live on the Frogleap tour a few years ago and to be honest they sounded mint!
It doesn't copy the original guitars perfectly. It produces sounds with less body and less note individuality. Most obvious with the Les Paul.
Why do they make the guitar look so cheap with that lousy headstock ? I have fitted an after market Strat neck to mine.
Sad fact. I don't do anything but play in my house now but I still use tubes and real guitars.
@bennyvx08 ive got a Modern American Fender Strat one of the £1000 ones and it sucks compared to my '88 Japanese Fender Strat. dont be so quick to say American made is better as its not always true.
i could hear the guitar just fine...maybe you need to train your hearing a little more, thats not meant to be a dig btw! :)
I have no problem tweaking sounds in POD2.5 or HD500.
Id rather drop 1400+ than 3000.00 for a US PRS. I have tons of options with Line6.
Don't get me wrong...PRS is a wonderful guitar but I'm a rogue jew...still a jew as well...Maximum return for my investment always.
I for one like modelling guitars, but the Telecaster sounds better than the Variax. Just saying.
@brandon9271 Thats right man! a lot of people are not open-minded as you are!
Just pick the right handed one like Jimi Hendrix did and turn it upside down. Miracles can happen... :-)
@bennyvx08 Hi man i have a Korean made cort g290 and it's amazing!
hmm originals always sound noticeable clearer... the variax does a good imitation though
run through a PA no one will know the difference.i thinki its a cool idea.cant stand the line 6 spider 75wat 12"amp i was given tho.laughs.not very useful for a dumb guitar player (me)the fender mustang is much easier to use. but, really to date my fave set up is a telecaster with a voxC15custom C1.yeah vox 30 to dang loud for home use.no noise curfew laws here.so cops cant do crap about how loud i make noise. not play one of these yet so no opinion on design/how i like it. just going by tones
🎸🤠👍
@jamhr001yt These guitars can also be tweeked with the software. I am sure I can get it to sound exactly like a tele or a les paul but who cares. I've played Les Pauls and Strats that sound like shit. With this guitar I can get all kinds of clear fat sounds or spanky sounds by modifying pot values, capacitor values, woods, pickup wiring all with the included software. I get some incredible sounds out of these babies. If it sounds great and the sound is unique thats all that matters to me.